How I got to Minneapolis

-or- how I found my hidden talents and my mentor/co-conspirator.

The Fear

Sometime in late 2006 I got the notion to register for a local massage conference. My friend went the year before and loved it, I had stopped in to browse the exhibit hall and it all seemed pretty fun. So I registered for the event, chose my classes and my friend and I booked a room to share. Well, she ended up deciding not to go and I, being an introvert and all-around social klutz, panicked at the notion of going by myself. But they already had my cash, and a former teacher from my massage school (I think his name was Greg?) was going and promised to introduce me to people so I wouldn’t (1.) Stay huddled in my room between classes feeling scared and lonely or (2.) Be forced to introduce myself to strangers at a table at dinner (I probably would have skipped the included meal and paid to eat alone in the hotel bar if that was the case. For reals. I’m that shy.)

I still felt like a new therapist at the time. I had been out of school for about 2 years, I was only just starting to feel comfortable with my work, I got nervous before new clients and certainly didn’t exude confidence when talking about massage and attempting to network. I had hooked up with a few MT’s in my area, but was feeling a little isolated in the chiropractic office where I rented space.

So I went to the conference. Scared. Alone. Awkward. I remember spotting Greg in the exhibit hall and feeling an enormous wave of relief wash over me. And then Greg took care of me. He introduced me to everyone. I met the leadership of the Massachusetts Chapter of the AMTA. I met former students of his and friends and colleagues. Greg made sure I had a seat with friendly people at meals. Did I mention that Greg took care of me?

The Change

That conference blew me away. It changed my life. Being with other massage therapists, having fun, learning techniques and theories, eating together for 3 days and playing and dancing, changed my life. Hearing about other MT’s businesses made me excited about my own. Learning about the sliding filaments in the sarcomere lit up my inner geek and altered my work. I learned how to stretch the QL. (I also learned that I shouldn’t try a glass of every bottle of wine that we brought to our table. Rookie mistake.) I found where I belonged. Oh, and I found my bestest mentor and partner in crime, Greg.

Greg & I at the US Track & Field Masters event. Best. Job. Ever.

A few weeks later, I went to the annual meeting for the Mass Chapter. There were about 25 people in attendance. When I left, I had been elected serve in the following years’ House of Delegates at the national convention, Greg and I were the Massachusetts reps to the New England Regional Conference Planning Committee (NERC), and I was the only member of Greg’s education committee. Oh, and I think he was a VP or something, too.

That was just over 3 years ago. The Mass Chapter experienced a renaissance of sorts. The leadership is quite something. We got a kick-ass new (easy to use) website and members can register for events online. We’ve got people on TV talking about massage. We’ve got free benefits like a legal service and health insurance-finder service for members. Our education events sell out. Our annual meetings score a few hundred attendees. Our newsletter got a makeover, got INTERESTING and is going digital (didja hear that? it was the sound of all those trees sighing in relief). We loan out equipment to members in need.

And you know who made all this happen? MASSAGE THERAPISTS. VOLUNTEERS. People like you and me with massage businesses, second jobs, families and busy lives.

When people who want to make a difference come together, the forces of good cannot be stopped. There is no limit to what can be created when volunteers are of like mind and mission.

Because I volunteer, I’ll have a say in policies that shape the AMTA. And we are shaping the field and future of massage. For us. For you. Even if you don’t belong to this organization, ultimately, our moves affect you.

The Fun and the Growth

But that’s all big picture stuff. Here’s the really personal stuff. I get to hang out with the people who wrote the textbooks I reference weekly. I’ll be dancing with a massage guru in 6 days. I’ve found something I’m good at. I love serving on the NERC committee (with some of the finest people I’ve ever met) and it turns out I don’t suck at it. I do a good job. I can rock a committee meeting. (I award fedoras for awesomeness, people.) I’ve learned that I don’t always play well with others and I hold a grudge (okay, I knew that already). I’m figuring out how to negotiate personalities and keep my eyes on the common goals. I’ve learned how to say ‘No, thank you’ to projects that don’t light my fire and “Yes, please!” to the ones that excite me. I’ve found that a nemesis in one situation is an ally in another.

None of these lessons would have been learned if I stayed in my little office by myself. These friends would not be mine. This blog would not exist. I would just be lonely and stuck. In my little office. Alone. Stagnant.

Your Mission, please choose to accept it

I hear that voice in your head. “I don’t have time to make more massage friends or volunteer.” We both know that’s crap. How you spend your time is a choice. (Remember? We’ve covered choice. This is not new material.) And with a little effort, you could probably find the time to attend one gathering of the AMTA in your state. Or one class this year, and maybe follow that up by practicing your new technique on a local colleague. Or host a coffee hour at your office for a few local therapists. You could even check in with that nearby massage school and invite a few students.

The Last Bit

That March 2007 event was the catalyst, and now I’m on the way to my 3^rd National Convention, in Minneapolis this year. (I’m already tweeting the convention here, #bluecon.) I am excited, I am nervous. No doubt I’ll be sticking my foot in my mouth in front of someone I respect at least once. Okay, twice. But I will come away inspired, excited and, well, bigger. I’ll be a bigger thinker and a bigger do-er. And after the Epic Sushi Outing with Michael Reynolds and gang, I’ll probably need bigger pants.

Consumed while writing this post: Nothing. I hate eating on planes. But my travel companion, Ms. Kerry Methot of the CT Chapter AMTA had tomato juice and pretzels. And now I want a Bloody Mary.

Possibly Related Posts:

• A very special guest post
• Massage Nerd, Community, & Writing for your Business
• She called me a ‘colleague’.
• The Spa Junkie and the Plan Bs
• Blogging for your Massage Business. I do, will you?